Roscam

Roscam is a medieval ecclesiastical site and National Monument located in Galway, Ireland.^[1][2]

Roscam

Ros Cam
Location within County Galway
Monastery information
Other names	Ros-chaim; Ros-camm
Established	5th century AD
Diocese	Galway, Kilmacduagh and Kilfenora
Architecture
Status	ruined
Style	Celtic
Site
Location	Roscam, Galway
Coordinates	53.264423°N 8.984974°W / 53.264423; -8.984974
Visible remains	Church, bullauns and round tower
Public access	yes
National monument of Ireland
Official name	Roscam
Reference no.	46

Location

Roscam is located 4 km (2.5 mi) east of the Galway city centre, immediately north of Oranmore Bay.^[3] It is just to the south of the Galway neighbourhood of Roscam, which takes its name from the site.

History

Roscam stands on the site of a very early (5th century) monastery, with legend linking it to Saint Patrick.^[4] It was also associated with Odran, a brother of Ciarán of Clonmacnoise (6th century). The 6th-century Saint Aedus (Aidus) transferred the bones of Brión mac Echach Muigmedóin to Roscam.^[5] It was attacked by Vikings in AD 807.^[6]

The round tower is dated to the 11th century and appears to have never been completed.^[7] The ruined tower once marked the limit of O'Halloran (Ó hAllmhuráin, Clann Fhearghaile) territory.^[8][9]

The church was built in the 15th century.^{[citation needed]}

Roscam is said to have been used as a duelling site in the medieval era; at the time, it was well outside of what was then the city of Galway and was easily accessible by boat.^[10]

Ruins and monuments

The tower

There is a limestone round tower (11 m (36 ft) tall),^[11][12] bullauns and a church 22 m (72 ft) in length. The whole site is surrounded by a large enclosure.^[13]